Scrolling apparatus, scrolling method, and computer-readable medium

ABSTRACT

A scrolling apparatus includes: a display unit which displays a content on a screen; a contact detection unit which detects contact of a finger to the screen; a proximity detection unit which detects proximity of a finger to the screen; a scrolling control unit which scrolls the content displayed on the screen in response to a contact manipulation of the finger on the screen; and a display control unit which displays, on the screen, the scrolled content. The scrolling control unit decelerates a scroll speed to a given speed if proximity of the finger to the screen is detected at or after a start of the scrolling.

BACKGROUND

1. Technical Field

The present invention relates to a scrolling apparatus, a scrollingmethod, and a computer-readable medium storing a program for scrollinginformation displayed on a screen in response to a manipulation inputthrough a touch panel.

2. Description of Related Art

In recent years, electronic apparatus incorporating a touch panel havecome into wide use. And touch panels which allow users to make intuitivemanipulations have come to be used widely as devices through whichelectronic apparatus receive input manipulations. Touch panels enable,through the same screen, reception of an input manipulation made on thescreen of a display unit (e.g., LCD (liquid crystal display) or organicEL (electroluminescence) device) of an electronic apparatus and displayof a processing result of the electronic apparatus.

When a content is displayed that has such a large display size that thescreen of an electronic apparatus incorporating a touch panel cannotfully display it, the user views the whole of the content by performinga scroll manipulation on the touch panel. For example, the electronicapparatus disclosed in JP-A-2012-14524 is known which can simplify ascroll manipulation.

In the electronic apparatus disclosed in JP-A-2012-14524, if it isjudged that an object has been flick-manipulated by a finger, firstinertial scrolling is performed in the direction of the flickmanipulation. If it is judged that an object has been slide-manipulatedby a finger and then flick-manipulated in the direction opposite to thedirection of the slide manipulation, second inertial scrolling isperformed in the direction of the flick manipulation. The second flickmanipulation is longer in scroll distance or higher in scroll speed thanthe first flick manipulation. With these measures, in the electronicapparatus disclosed in JP-A-2012-14524, an object can be scrolled to adesired position in a simple manner without the need for repeatingsuperfluous manipulations.

The inertial scrolling is a function that when quick scrolling has beenperformed on a screen, the scrolling is not stopped upon release of thefinger from the screen but maintained for a prescribed time as ifinertia were at work.

SUMMARY

However, in inertial scrolling, the scroll speed is decreased graduallyas time elapses from release of the finger from the screen and thescrolling is stopped finally. This results in a problem that in theelectronic apparatus of JP-A-2012-14524 the user needs to repeatmanipulations for causing second scrolling when he or she wants toscroll a content having a large display size (e.g., map) quickly andcontinuously or view such a content continuously in a flowing state.

The present invention has been made in view of the above-describedcircumstances, and an object thereof is to provide a scrollingapparatus, a scrolling method, and a computer-readable medium storing aprogram which make it possible to easily scroll a content having a largedisplay size without requiring repeated manipulations.

An aspect of the present invention provides a scrolling apparatusincluding: a display unit which displays a content on a screen; acontact detection unit which detects contact of a finger to the screen;a proximity detection unit which detects proximity of a finger to thescreen; a scrolling control unit which scrolls the content displayed onthe screen in response to a contact manipulation of the finger on thescreen; and a display control unit which displays, on the screen, thescrolled content, wherein the scrolling control unit decelerates ascroll speed to a given speed if proximity of the finger to the screenis detected at or after a start of the scrolling.

With this configuration, the scrolling apparatus gradually deceleratesthe scroll speed to the given speed if proximity of the finger to thescreen is detected at or after the start of the scrolling. Consequently,it is possible to easily scroll a content having a large display sizewithout requiring repeated manipulations while proximity of the fingerto the screen continues to be detected.

Another aspect of the present invention provides a scrolling method of ascrolling apparatus comprising a display unit which displays a contenton a screen, the method including: detecting contact of a finger to thescreen; detecting proximity of a finger to the screen; scrolling thecontent displayed on the screen in response to a contact manipulation ofthe finger on the screen; and displaying, on the screen, the scrolledcontent, wherein the scroll speed is decelerated to a given speed ifproximity of a finger to the screen is detected at or after a start ofthe scrolling.

With this method, the scrolling apparatus gradually decelerates thescroll speed to the given speed if proximity of the finger to the screenis detected at or after the start of the scrolling. Consequently, it ispossible to easily scroll a content having a large display size withoutrequiring repeated manipulations while proximity of the finger to thescreen continues to be detected.

Yet another aspect of the present invention provides a non-transitorycomputer-readable medium storing a program comprising instructionswhich, when executed by a computer, cause a scrolling apparatuscomprising a display unit which displays a content on a screen toexecute: detecting contact of a finger to the screen; detectingproximity of a finger to the screen; scrolling the content displayed onthe screen in response to a contact manipulation of the finger on thescreen; and displaying, on the screen, the scrolled content, wherein thescroll speed is decelerated to a given speed if proximity of a finger tothe screen is detected at or after a start of the scrolling.

With this program stored in the computer-readable medium, the scrollingapparatus gradually decelerates the scroll speed to the given speed ifproximity of the finger to the screen is detected at or after the startof the scrolling. Consequently, it is possible to easily scroll acontent having a large display size without requiring repeatedmanipulations while proximity of the finger to the screen continues tobe detected.

According to aspects of the present invention, it is possible to easilyscroll a content having a large display size without requiring repeatedmanipulations.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the functional configuration of aportable terminal according to a first embodiment;

FIGS. 2A-2D are schematic diagrams outlining how the portable terminalaccording to the first embodiment operates;

FIG. 3 is a graph showing how the scroll speed is varied with time inthe first embodiment;

FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing how the portable terminal according to thefirst embodiment operates;

FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing the functional configuration of aportable terminal according to a second embodiment;

FIG. 6 is a graph showing how the scroll speed is varied with time inthe second embodiment;

FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing how the portable terminal according to thesecond embodiment operates;

FIG. 8 is a block diagram showing the functional configuration of aportable terminal according to a third embodiment;

FIG. 9 is a graph showing how the scroll speed is varied with time inthe third embodiment;

FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing how the portable terminal according tothe third embodiment operates;

FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing the details of a process A of theportable terminal according to the third embodiment;

FIG. 12 is a graph showing how the scroll speed is varied with time in afourth embodiment;

FIG. 13 is a flowchart showing how a portable terminal according to thefourth embodiment operates;

FIG. 14 is a flowchart showing the details of a process A′ of theportable terminal according to the fourth embodiment;

FIG. 15 is a flowchart showing the details of a process B of theportable terminal according to the fourth embodiment;

FIG. 16 is a graph showing how the scroll speed is varied with time in afifth embodiment;

FIG. 17 is a flowchart showing how a portable terminal according to thefifth embodiment operates;

FIG. 18 is a graph showing how the scroll speed is varied with time in asixth embodiment;

FIG. 19 is a flowchart showing how a portable terminal according to thesixth embodiment operates;

FIG. 20 is a graph showing how the scroll speed is varied with time inan embodiment that is the combination of the first, third and fourthembodiments;

FIG. 21 is a flowchart showing how a portable terminal according to theembodiment that is the combination of the first, third and fourthembodiments operates; and

FIG. 22A is a schematic diagram illustrating how the scroll speed iscontrolled according to the position on the surface of a touch panelwhere a hover hold manipulation has been performed by a finger, and FIG.22B is a schematic diagram illustrating how the scroll speed iscontrolled according to the height, with respect to the surface of atouch panel, where a finger has performed a hover hold manipulation.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Scrolling apparatus, scrolling methods, and programs according toembodiments of the present invention will be hereinafter described withreference to the drawings. The scrolling apparatus according to theinvention encompasses electronic apparatus incorporating a display unitfor displaying data on the display screen, such as a cellphone, asmartphone, a tablet terminal, a digital still camera, a PDA (personaldigital assistant), and an e-book terminal. A portable terminal (e.g.,smartphone) will be described in each of the following embodiments as anexample scrolling apparatus according to the invention.

The invention can be expressed as a scrolling apparatus as an apparatusor a program for causing a scrolling apparatus to operate as a computer.And the invention can also be expressed as a scrolling method includingindividual operations (steps) performed by a scrolling apparatus. Thatis, the invention can be expressed in any of the categories of anapparatus, a method, and a program.

(Explanation of Terms Used in Embodiments)

Although the following description will be made using a user finger(e.g., index finger) as a example object (indication medium) to comeclose to or into contact with a touch panel, the invention is notlimited to such a case and but encompasses a case that a conductivestylus is used. No limitations are imposed on the object (indicationmedium) to come close to or into contact with a touch panel as long asits coming into proximity or contact to the touch panel can be detectedaccording to the structure and detection method of the touch panel.

The two axes representing the horizontal surface of the touch panel willbe referred to as the X axis and the Y axis, and the axis representingthe direction perpendicular to the horizontal surface of the touch panelwill be referred to as the Z axis.

In the following description, the term “contact coordinates” meanscoordinates (x, y) representing a position on the horizontal surface ofthe touch panel when the touch panel has detected contact of a fingerand the term “proximity coordinates” means coordinates (x, y, z)representing a spatial position in a proximity detectable range when thetouch panel has detected coming into proximity of a finger. The zcoordinate of proximity coordinates (x, y, z) represents a height of afinger over the horizontal surface of the touch panel.

In the following description, the term “hover manipulation” is definedas a manipulation of placing a finger at a spatial position in aprescribed proximity detectable range over the surface of the touchpanel. In particular, the term “hover slide manipulation” is defined asa manipulation which is an example hover manipulation and in which afinger is slid (moved) approximately parallel with the surface of thetouch panel from a spatial position of a hover manipulation. And theterm “hover hold manipulation” is defined as a manipulation of holding afinger in a proximity detectable range without moving it.

A manipulation of bringing a finger into direct contact with the surfaceof the touch panel is a “touch manipulation” rather than a “hovermanipulation.” The term “touch slide manipulation” is defined as amanipulation which is an example touch manipulation and in which afinger is slid (moved) across the surface of the touch panel while beingkept in contact with it.

Furthermore, the term “flick manipulation” or “touch flick manipulation”is defined as a manipulation which is an example touch manipulation andin which a finger is flicked after making a touch manipulation on thesurface of the touch panel. On the other hand, the term “hover flickmanipulation” is defined as a manipulation which is an example hovermanipulation and in which as in a flick manipulation a finger is flickedin a prescribed proximity detectable range that is spaced from thesurface of the touch panel. In the following description, the “touchflick manipulation” and the “hover flick manipulation” will bediscriminated from each other.

In the prescribed proximity detectable range for detection of a hovermanipulation, the distance between a finger and the surface of the touchpanel is inversely proportional to the capacitance detected by the touchpanel. It is therefore preferable that the prescribed proximitydetectable range correspond to a detectable capacitance range of thetouch panel.

When a finger enters the prescribed proximity detectable range of thetouch panel, the touch panel detects the coming into proximity of thefinger. The term “hovering-in” is defined as a manipulation for causinga start of detection of a proximity state of a finger by moving thefinger from a position higher than the proximity detectable range of thetouch panel to a height within it. And the term “hovering-out” isdefined as a manipulation for rendering a proximity state of a finger nolonger detectable by moving the finger away from the touch panel from aheight within the proximity detectable range to a position higher thanit.

The term “inertial scrolling” is defined as scrolling in which thescroll speed is decreased gradually to zero from a peak speed which isan initial scroll speed attained by an initial manipulation (e.g., touchflick manipulation) for starting the scrolling.

Embodiment 1

In a portable terminal 100 according to a first embodiment, afterinertial scrolling was started by a finger contact manipulation (e.g.,touch flick manipulation), while a finger hover manipulation (e.g.,hover hold manipulation) continues to be detected, the inertialscrolling is suspended to keep the scroll speed time-varying rate(described later) equal to zero. The scrolling is thereby performed insuch a manner that a scroll speed and a scroll direction at the time ofdetection of the finger hover manipulation are maintained.

(Functional Configuration of Portable Terminal 100 According toEmbodiment 1)

First, the functional configuration of the portable terminal 100according to the first embodiment will be described with reference toFIG. 1. FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the functional configurationof the portable terminal 100 according to the first embodiment. Theportable terminal 100 shown in FIG. 1 includes a proximity detectionunit 5, a contact detection unit 10, a proximity coordinates valuationunit 15, a contact coordinates evaluation unit 20, a proximity statemanaging unit 25, a contact manipulation judging unit 30, an application50, a display screen data generation unit 60, and a display unit 70. Theapplication 50 as a scrolling control unit includes a state variationcontrol unit 53 and a variation rate adjusting unit 56.

The proximity detection unit 5 detects at a predetermined cycle whetheror not a finger FG of the user of the portable terminal 100 is close toa touch panel TP. The proximity detection unit 5 detects proximity of afinger FG to the touch panel TP when, for example, a hover manipulation(e.g., hover slide manipulation, hover hold manipulation, or hover flickmanipulation) has been made by the finger FG. The proximity detectionunit 5 outputs, to the proximity coordinates evaluation unit 15, aproximity detection signal to the effect that a finger FG is close tothe touch panel TP.

The contact detection unit 10 detects at a predetermined cycle whetheror not a finger FG of the user of the portable terminal 100 is incontact with the touch panel TP. The contact detection unit 10 detectscoming into contact of a finger FG to the touch panel TP when, forexample, a touch manipulation (e.g., touch slide manipulation or touchflick manipulation) has been made by the finger FG. The contactdetection unit 10 outputs, to the contact coordinates evaluation unit20, a contact detection signal to the effect that a finger FG is incontact with the touch panel TP.

The proximity detection unit 5 and the contact detection unit 10 can beformed by using the touch panel TP. Although the proximity detectionunit 5 and the contact detection unit 10 are separate units in FIG. 1,they may be formed as a single unit using the touch panel TP.

The proximity coordinates evaluation unit 15 calculates proximitycoordinates (x, y, z) of the finger FG on or with respect to the touchpanel TP on the basis of a proximity detection signal that is outputfrom the proximity detection unit 5, and outputs them to the proximitystate managing unit 25. The x and y components of the proximitycoordinates (x, y, z) represent a position on the surface of the touchpanel TP, and their z component represents a distance between the fingerFG and the touch panel TP in the Z-axis direction, that is, a height ofthe finger FG with respect to the touch panel TP.

The contact coordinates evaluation unit 20 calculates contactcoordinates (x, y) where the finger FG has come into contact with thetouch panel TP on the basis of the contact detection signal that isoutput from the contact detection unit 10, and outputs them to thecontact manipulation judging unit 30.

The proximity state managing unit 25 manages a proximity/non-proximitystate indicating whether or not the finger FG is close to the touchpanel TP on the basis of the proximity coordinates (x, y, z) that areoutput from the proximity coordinates evaluation unit 15. For example,the proximity state managing unit 25 detects that the finger FG hashovered in when the finger FG has moved from a position outside theproximity detectable range of the touch panel TP to a position insideit. And the proximity state managing unit 25 detects that the finger FGhas hovered out when the finger FG has moved from a position inside theproximity detectable range of the touch panel TP to a position outsideit. The proximity state managing unit 25 informs an application 50 of aproximity/non-proximity state indicating whether or not the finger FG isclose to the proximity detectable range.

The contact manipulation judging unit 30 judges a type of a touchmanipulation made by the finger FG on the touch panel TP on the basis ofcontact coordinates (x, y) that are output from the contact coordinatesevaluation unit 20. Example touch manipulation types to be decided on bythe contact manipulation judging unit 30 are a touch manipulation, atouch slide manipulation, and a touch flick manipulation. However, thetouch manipulation type is not limited to them. The contact manipulationjudging unit 30 informs the application 50 of the determined touchmanipulation type, that is, a judgment result that a touch manipulationof one of the above types has been performed.

Furthermore, if, for example, a touch flick manipulation has been madeby the finger FG, the contact manipulation judging unit 30 calculates amovement speed at which the finger FG has been flicked on the surface ofthe touch panel TP on the basis of contact coordinates (x, y) that areoutput from the contact coordinates evaluation unit 20 and informs theapplication 50 of the calculated movement speed.

The contact manipulation judging unit 30 may calculate a movement speedof the finger FG of a touch flick manipulation using both of theproximity coordinates (x, y, z) calculated by the proximity coordinatesevaluation unit 15 and the contact coordinates (x, y) calculated by thecontact coordinates evaluation unit 20. This allows the contactmanipulation judging unit 30 to calculate, with high accuracy, amovement speed at which the finger FG has been flicked on the surface ofthe touch panel TP.

The application 50 is an application program that is preinstalled in theportable terminal 100. No limitations are imposed on the details of theapplication used in each embodiment. For example, the application 50 isa map application for displaying a corresponding map content on thedisplay unit 70 according to a user input manipulation.

The state variation control unit 53 calculates an initial scroll speedaccording to a movement speed at which the finger FG has been flicked onthe surface of the touch panel TP when the touch manipulation judged bythe contact manipulation judging unit 30 is the touch flickmanipulation. The state variation control unit 53 determines a scrollspeed vs. time characteristic using the initial scroll speed and ascroll speed time-varying rate (e.g., acceleration (this also applies tothe following description)) of inertial scrolling, and performs inertialscrolling according to the determined characteristic.

The acceleration (<0) which is an example scroll speed time-varying rateis known in the state variation control unit 53 and corresponds to afriction coefficient for lowering the scroll speed of inertial scrollingas time elapses. The scroll speed time-varying rate may be fixed to acertain value irrespective of the lapse of time or decrease from aninitial value as time elapses.

The state variation control unit 53 starts to inertial-scroll, forexample, a map content displayed on the screen of the display unit 70according to the calculated initial scroll speed and the determinedscroll speed time-varying rate (see FIG. 2B). Therefore, in a case thatinertial scrolling is continued, the scroll speed is decreased graduallyto zero (the inertial scrolling is finished) from a peak speed which isan initial scroll speed attained by a touch flick manipulation as timeelapses from the touch flick manipulation (see a scroll curve C0 shownin FIG. 3).

When hovering-in of the finger FG is detected by the proximity statemanaging unit 25, the variation rate adjusting unit 56 instructs thestate variation control unit 53 to set the scroll speed time-varyingrate to zero. In response to the instruction from the variation rateadjusting unit 56, the state variation control unit 53 changes thescroll speed time-varying rate to zero. In this manner, the statevariation control unit 53 suspends the inertial scrolling and thereafterperforms scrolling in such a manner that a scroll speed and a scrolldirection of the inertial scrolling at the time of detection of thehovering-in of the finger FG are maintained.

When hovering-out of the finger FG is detected by the proximity statemanaging unit 25, the variation rate adjusting unit 56 instructs thestate variation control unit 53 to change the scroll speed time-varyingrate to the original value, that is, the scroll speed time-varying rateof the inertial scrolling at the time of the detection of thehovering-in of the finger FG by the proximity state managing unit 25.The state variation control unit 53 changes the scroll speedtime-varying rate to the original value in response to the instructionfrom the variation rate adjusting unit 56. In this manner, the statevariation control unit 53 can restart inertial scrolling from the scrollspeed at the time of the detection of hovering-in of the finger FG.

The display screen data generation unit 60 as a display control unitgenerates pre-scrolling or post-scrolling display screen data of theapplication 50 and displays it on the display unit 70. Although in FIG.1 the display screen data generation unit 60 is separate from theapplication 50, it may be included in the application 50.

Having a function of displaying data on the screen, the display unit 70displays display screen data that is output from the display screen datageneration unit 60. The display screen data is data that is displayed onthe display unit 70 while the application 50 is run.

(Outline of Operation of Embodiment 1)

Next, how the portable terminal 100 according to this embodimentoperates will be outlined with reference to FIGS. 2A-2D. FIGS. 2A-2D areschematic diagrams outlining how the portable terminal 100 according tothe first embodiment operates.

FIG. 2A shows a map content of the application 50 that is displayed onthe screen of the display unit 70. The touch panel TP is providedadjacent to the screen of the display unit 70. For example, if a touchflick manipulation is performed on the touch panel TP up rightward by afinger FG, the portable terminal 100 starts to inertial-scroll the mapcontent in the movement direction of the finger FG of the touch flickmanipulation (see FIG. 2B). FIG. 2B shows that the portable terminal 100starts the inertial scrolling in a direction which is the same as thatof the touch flick manipulation performed by the finger FG.

If detecting that the finger FG has hovered in as a result of a hovermanipulation performed after the touch flick manipulation, the portableterminal 100 changes the scroll speed time-varying rate of the inertialscrolling to zero to suspend the inertial scrolling. Furthermore, theportable terminal 100 performs scrolling in such a manner that a scrollspeed and a scroll direction at the time of the detection of thehovering-in of the finger FG are maintained (see FIG. 2C). FIG. 2C showsthat scrolling is performed such that the scroll speed and the scrolldirection are maintained to be constant as a result of a hovermanipulation by the finger FG to the touch panel TP. As a result, whilethe finger FG continues a hover hold manipulation, the portable terminal100 can maintain the scroll speed and a scroll direction at the time ofthe detection of the hovering-in of the finger FG. Repeatedmanipulations for scrolling are not necessary and the map content can bescrolled quickly.

When the finger FG that has continued the hover manipulation leaves theproximity detectable range of the touch panel TP and the portableterminal 100 thereby detects hovering-out of the finger FG, the portableterminal 100 changes the scroll speed time-varying rate to the originalvalue and restarts inertial scrolling (see FIG. 2D). FIG. 2D shows thatthe hovering-out is detected as a result of motion of the finger FG awayfrom the proximity detectable range of the touch panel TP.

(Operation of Portable Terminal 100 According to Embodiment 1)

Next, how the portable terminal 100 according to this embodimentoperates will be described with reference to FIGS. 3 and 4. FIG. 3 is agraph showing how the scroll speed is varied with time in the firstembodiment. FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing how the portable terminal 100according to the first embodiment operates.

In FIG. 3, time t0 is a time when a touch flick manipulation isperformed, time t1 and time t3 are times when hovering-out is detected,and time t2 is a time when hovering-in of a finger FG is detected.

FIG. 3 shows three scroll curves C0, C1, and C2. The scroll curve C0corresponds to conventional inertial scrolling. That is, as time elapsesfrom time t0, the scroll speed v is decreased gradually to zero (theinertial scrolling is finished) from a peak speed which is an initialscroll speed v0 at time t0.

The scroll curve C1 is a scroll curve of a case that a touch flickmanipulation and hovering-in are detected simultaneously at time t0. Inthe scroll curve C1, since a touch flick manipulation and hovering-inare detected simultaneously at time t0, from time t0 to time t1 andconstant-speed scrolling is performed instead of inertial scrolling,that is, the scroll speed v is kept equal to the initial scroll speedv0. Since hovering-out is detected at time t1, at time t1 theconstant-speed scrolling is stopped and inertial scrolling is started.As a result, as in the scroll curve C0, the scroll speed v is decreasedgradually to zero (the inertial scrolling is finished).

The scroll curve C2 is a scroll curve of a case that a touch flickmanipulation is detected at time t0 and hovering-in is detected at timet2. In the scroll curve C2, since hovering-in is detected at time t2, astroke speed that is equal to a scroll speed v1 of inertial scrolling attime t2 is maintained from time t2 to t3. Since hovering-out is detectedat time t3, at time t3 the constant-speed scrolling is stopped andinertial scrolling is restarted. As a result, as in the scroll curve C0,the scroll speed v is decreased gradually to zero (the inertialscrolling is finished).

Referring to FIG. 4, at step S11, the contact manipulation judging unit30 judges, on the basis of contact coordinates (x, y) that are outputfrom the contact coordinates evaluation unit 20, a type of a touchmanipulation that has been performed by a finger FG on the touch panelTP (S11). If judging that the type of the touch manipulation is a touchflick manipulation (S11: yes), the contact manipulation judging unit 30informs the application 50 that a touch flick manipulation has beenmade.

If a touch flick manipulation has been performed by a finger FG, thecontact manipulation judging unit 30 calculates a movement speed atwhich the finger FG was flicked on the surface of the touch panel TP onthe basis of contact coordinates (x, y) that is output from the contactcoordinates evaluation unit 20 and informs the application 50 of thecalculated movement speed.

At step S12, the state variation control unit 53 calculates an initialscroll speed of inertial scrolling according to the movement speed ofthe finger FG that is output from the contact manipulation judging unit30. The state variation control unit 53 determines a scroll speed vs.time characteristic using the initial scroll speed and a scroll speedtime-varying rate of inertial scrolling, and starts inertial scrollingaccording to the determined characteristic.

At step S13, the proximity state managing unit 25 detects whether or notthe finger FG is close to the touch panel TP on the basis of proximitycoordinates (x, y, z) that are output from the proximity coordinatesevaluation unit 15. If detecting that the finger FG has hovered in (S13:yes), the proximity state managing unit 25 informs the application 50that the finger FG has hovered in.

At step S14, in response to the notice sent from the proximity statemanaging unit 25, the variation rate adjusting unit 56 instructs thestate variation control unit 53 to set the scroll speed time-varyingrate to zero. Following the instruction from the variation rateadjusting unit 56, the state variation control unit 53 changes thescroll speed time-varying rate to zero. Thus, at step S12, the statevariation control unit 53 suspends the inertial scrolling and performsscrolling in such a manner that a scroll speed and a scroll direction atthe time of the detection of the hovering-in the finger FG aremaintained.

On the other hand, if detecting that the finger FG has hovered out (S13:no), the proximity state managing unit 25 informs the application 50that the finger FG has hovered out. At step S15, in response to thenotice sent from the proximity state managing unit 25, the variationrate adjusting unit 56 instructs the state variation control unit 53 tochange the scroll speed time-varying rate to the original value.Following the instruction from the variation rate adjusting unit 56, thestate variation control unit 53 changes the scroll speed time-varyingrate to the original value. Thus, at step S12, the state variationcontrol unit 53 restarts inertial scrolling from the scroll speed at thetime of the detection of the hovering-in. Therefore, the scroll speed isdecreased gradually as time elapses from the scroll speed at the time ofthe detection of the hovering-in.

At step S16, the state variation control unit 53 judges whether thescroll speed is higher than zero. If judging that the scroll speed ishigher than zero (S16: yes), at step S12 the state variation controlunit 53 performs scrolling at the scroll speed that was set at step S15.On the other hand, if judging that the scroll speed is lower than orequal to zero (actually, equal to zero) (S16: no), the scrolling of theportable terminal 100 is finished.

In the above-described process, in the portable terminal 100 accordingto the embodiment, if hovering-in of a finger FG is detected afterinertial scrolling was started in response to a touch flick manipulationmade by the finger FG, the inertial scrolling is suspended and scrollingis performed in such a manner that a scroll speed and a scroll directionof the inertial scrolling at the time of the detection of thehovering-in by the proximity state managing unit 25 are maintained.

As a result, in the portable terminal 100 according to the embodiment, ascroll speed and a scroll direction at the time of detection ofhovering-in of a finger FG can be maintained while the finger FGcontinues a hover hold manipulation, for example. This makes it possibleto scroll a map content quickly. That is, the portable terminal 100 canscroll a content having a large display size in a simple manner, thatis, without requiring repeated manipulations for causing inertialscrolling plural times.

In the portable terminal 100 according to the embodiment, although notshown in FIGS. 3 and 4, if hovering-in is detected again after detectionof hovering-out, scrolling may be performed in such a manner that ascroll speed and a scroll direction of inertial scrolling at the time ofthe detection of the hovering-in are maintained.

In the portable terminal 100 according to the embodiment, if a hoverflick manipulation is detected while a finger FG is continuing a hoverhold manipulation, constant-speed scrolling may be performed at a speedthat is made higher than a constant scroll speed that was set whenhovering-in was detected by a value corresponding to a movement speed ofthe finger FG of the hover flick manipulation. With this measure, in theportable terminal 100, if a scroll speed that is set when hovering-in isdetected is not preferable to the user, the user can cause scrolling ata proper scroll speed that is determined by a hover flick manipulationmade by the user.

Embodiment 2

In a portable terminal 200 according to a second embodiment, afterinertial scrolling was started by a finger contact manipulation (e.g.,touch flick manipulation), while a finger hover manipulation continuesto be detected, the inertial scrolling is suspended and the scroll speedis decreased gradually until reaching a given (e.g., prescribed)convergence speed (described later), and, after that, scrolling isperformed at the constant, convergence speed.

(Functional Configuration of Portable Terminal 200 According toEmbodiment 2)

The functional configuration of the portable terminal 200 according tothe second embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. 5. FIG. 5is a block diagram showing the functional configuration of the portableterminal 200 according to the second embodiment. The portable terminal200 shown in FIG. 5 includes a proximity detection unit 5, a contactdetection unit 10, a proximity coordinates evaluation unit 15, a contactcoordinates evaluation unit 20, a proximity state managing unit 25, acontact manipulation judging unit 30, an application 50A, a displayscreen data generation unit 60, and a display unit 70. The application50A as a scrolling control unit includes a state variation control unit53A, a variation rate adjusting unit 56A, and a temporary speed holdingunit 59. In the description of the individual units of the portableterminal 200 shown in FIG. 5, units having the same ones in the portableterminal 100 shown in FIG. 1 will be given the same reference symbols asthe latter and descriptions therefor will be simplified or omitted. Thatis, only different units will be described in detail.

The state variation control unit 53A calculates a convergence speed onthe basis of an initial scroll speed of inertial scrolling, and storesit in the temporary speed holding unit 59. The convergence speed is alower limit scroll speed of scrolling that is performed after detectionof hovering-in of a finger FG (this also applies to each of thefollowing embodiments). The convergence speed may either be setaccording to an initial scroll speed of inertial scrolling or be set toa fixed value irrespective of an initial scroll speed of inertialscrolling. This embodiment and each of the following embodiments will bedescribed with an assumption that the convergence speed is equal to avalue that is calculated by the state variation control unit 53Aaccording to an initial scroll speed of inertial scrolling (e.g., ½ ofan initial scroll speed of inertial scrolling).

Upon detection of hovering-in of a finger FG, the variation rateadjusting unit 56A instructs the state variation control unit 53A tochange the scroll speed time-varying rate so that the scroll speed willconverge on the convergence speed stored in the temporary speed holdingunit 59. In response to the instruction from the variation rateadjusting unit 56A, the state variation control unit 53A changes thescroll speed time-varying rate. In this manner, the state variationcontrol unit 53A suspends the inertial scrolling and performs scrollingso that the scroll speed will converge on the convergence speed.Therefore, in the portable terminal 200 according to this embodiment,while a hover manipulation of a finger FG continues to be detected,scrolling can be performed in such a manner that the scroll speed do notbecome lower than the convergence speed.

(Operation of Portable Terminal 200 According to Embodiment 2)

Next, how the portable terminal 200 according to this embodimentoperates will be described with reference to FIGS. 6 and 7. FIG. 6 is agraph showing how the scroll speed is varied with time in the secondembodiment. FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing how the portable terminal 200according to the second embodiment operates.

In FIG. 6, time t0 is a time when a touch flick manipulation andhovering-in are detected simultaneously, time t4 is a time when thescroll speed v becomes equal to a convergence, speed v2, and time t5 isa time hovering-out is detected. Since the scroll curve C0 is the sameas shown in FIG. 3 and hence will not be described.

In the description of the flowchart of FIG. 7, steps having the sameones in the flowchart of FIG. 4 will be given the same reference symbolsas the latter and descriptions therefor will be simplified or omitted.Only different steps will be described in detail.

In a scroll curve C4, at time t0, a touch flick manipulation andhovering-in are detected simultaneously and hence inertial scrolling isnot performed. From time t0 to time t4, the scroll speed v is decreasedgradually. From time t4 when the scroll speed v becomes equal to theconvergence speed v2 to time t5, the scroll speed v is kept equal to theconvergence speed v2. Since hovering-out is detected at time t5, at timet5 inertial scrolling is started. As a result, as in the scroll curveC0, the scroll speed v is decreased gradually from the convergence speedv2 to zero (the inertial scrolling is finished).

Referring to FIG. 7, if detecting that the finger FG has hovered in(S13: yes), the proximity state managing unit 25 informs the application50A that the finger FG has hovered in. The variation rate adjusting unit56A instructs the state variation control unit 53A to change the scrollspeed time-varying rate so that the scroll speed v will converge on theconvergence speed stored in the temporary speed holding unit 59. Inresponse to the instruction from the variation rate adjusting unit 56A,the state variation control unit 53A changes the scroll speedtime-varying rate. In this manner, the state variation control unit 53Asuspends the inertial scrolling and performs scrolling so that thescroll speed v will converge on the convergence speed.

At step S21, the state variation control unit 53A judges whether or notthe current scroll speed v is higher than the convergence speed v2stored in the temporary speed holding unit 59. If judging that thecurrent scroll speed v is higher than the convergence speed v2 (S21:yes), at step S22 the state variation control unit 53A decreases thescroll speed v.

At step S23, the contact manipulation judging unit 30 judges whether ornot the finger FG that has been in the hover manipulation state has madea touch manipulation. If judging that the finger FG that has been in thehover manipulation state has made a touch manipulation (S23: yes), thecontact manipulation judging unit 30 informs the application 50A thatthe finger FG that has been in the hover manipulation state has made atouch manipulation. In response to the notice sent from the contactmanipulation judging unit 30, at step S24 the state variation controlunit 53A stops the scrolling by setting the scroll speed v to zeroimmediately or smoothly. If the finger FG that has been in the hovermanipulation state does not make a touch manipulation (S23: no), theprocess of the portable terminal 200 returns to step S12, that is, thescrolling is continued.

On the other hand, if the state variation control unit 53A judges thatthe scroll speed v is equal to the convergence speed v2 (S21: no), atstep S12 the scrolling is performed in such a manner that the scrollspeed v is kept equal to the convergence speed v2 as long as the hovermanipulation (e.g., hover hold manipulation) of the finger FG isdetected.

If hovering-out of the finger FG is detected (S13: no) and the variationrate adjusting unit 56A judges that the scroll speed v of inertialscrolling is higher than zero (S16: yes), at step S14A scrolling isperformed at the scroll speed that was set at step S15.

In the above-described process, in the portable terminal 200 accordingto the embodiment, after inertial scrolling was started by a touch flickmanipulation of a finger FG, while a hover manipulation of the finger FGcontinues to be detected, the inertial scrolling is suspended and thescroll speed v is decreased gradually until reaching the convergencespeed v2, and, after that, scrolling is performed at the constant,convergence speed v2.

As a result, in the portable terminal 200 according to the embodiment,even if a scroll speed of inertial scrolling at the time of detection ofhovering-in of a finger FG is not preferable to the user, while thehover manipulation of the finger FG continues to be detected, the scrollspeed v is decreased to the convergence speed v2 gradually and thenscrolling is performed at the constant, convergence speed v2. Therefore,for example, scrolling can be performed at a proper scroll speed whenthe user wants to view a content in a flowing state.

Embodiment 3

A portable terminal 300 according to a third embodiment operates in thesame manner as the portable terminal 300 according to the secondembodiment and, in addition, starts automatic scrolling (describedlater) if detecting that a hover manipulation of a finger FG hascontinued for more than or equal to a given (e.g., prescribed) time.During the automatic scrolling, as in the second embodiment, theportable terminal 300 decreases the scroll speed gradually to aconvergence speed and, after that, keeps the scroll speed at theconstant, convergence speed.

(Functional Configuration of Portable Terminal 300 According toEmbodiment 3)

The functional configuration of the portable terminal 300 according tothe third embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. 8. FIG. 8is a block diagram showing the functional configuration of the portableterminal 300 according to the third embodiment. The portable terminal300 shown in FIG. 8 includes a proximity detection unit 5, a contactdetection unit 10, a proximity coordinates evaluation unit 15, a contactcoordinates evaluation unit 20, a proximity state managing unit 25, acontact manipulation judging unit 30, an application 50B, a displayscreen data generation unit 60B, a display unit 70, and a timer controlunit 80. The application 50B as a scrolling control unit includes astate variation control unit 53B, a variation rate adjusting unit 56B,and a temporary speed holding unit 59. In the description of theindividual units of the portable terminal 300 shown in FIG. 8, unitshaving the same ones in the portable terminal 200 shown in FIG. 5 willbe given the same reference symbols as the latter and descriptionstherefor will be simplified or omitted. That is, only different unitswill be described in detail.

The timer control unit 80, which has a function of measuring time thatelapses in the portable terminal 300, outputs measured time informationto the application 50B.

After hovering-in of a finger FG was detected by the proximity statemanaging unit 25 after a touch flick manipulation of the finger FG, thestate variation control unit 53B judges whether or not a hovermanipulation of the finger FG has continued for more than or equal to aprescribed time on the basis of the time information that is output fromthe timer control unit 80. The prescribed time may either be a fixedvalue that is prescribed as part of the operation particulars of thestate variation control unit 53B or be changed as appropriate.

If judging that a hover manipulation of the finger FG has continued formore than or equal to the prescribed time, the state variation controlunit 53B suspends the inertial scrolling and starts automatic scrolling.The automatic scrolling is an operation of performing scrolling in sucha manner as to decrease the scroll speed v to a convergence speed v2automatically irrespective of whether a finger FG is in a proximitystate and, after that, keep the scroll speed v at the convergence speedv2. The state variation control unit 53B stops automatic scrolling assoon as the contact manipulation judging unit 30 detects a touchmanipulation of the finger FG.

While the state variation control unit 53B is performing automaticscrolling, the display screen data generation unit 60B as a displaycontrol unit displays, on the screen of the display unit 70, anindication (e.g., mark) indicating that automatic scrolling is beingperformed. When automatic scrolling is finished, the display screen datageneration unit 60B erases the indication from the screen of the displayunit 70. With this measure, the display screen data generation unit 60Ballows the user to recognize a state that automatic scrolling is beingperformed.

(Operation of Portable Terminal 300 According to Embodiment 3)

Next, how the portable terminal 300 according to this embodimentoperates will be described with reference to FIGS. 9-11. FIG. 9 is agraph showing how the scroll speed is varied with time in the thirdembodiment. FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing how the portable terminal 300according to the third embodiment operates. FIG. 11 is a flowchartshowing the details of a process A of the portable terminal 300according to the third embodiment.

In FIG. 9, time t0 is a time when a touch flick manipulation andhovering-in are detected simultaneously, time t4 is a time when thescroll speed v becomes equal to a convergence speed v2, time t5 is atime when hovering-out is detected, and time t6 is a time when aprescribed time has elapsed from time t0 when the touch flickmanipulation and the hovering-in were performed. Since the scroll curveC0 is the same as shown in FIG. 3 and hence will not be described.

In the description of the flowchart of FIG. 10, steps having the sameones in the flowchart of FIG. 7 will be given the same reference symbolsas the latter and descriptions therefor will be simplified or omitted.Only different steps will be described in detail.

In a scroll curve C5, at time t0, a touch flick manipulation andhovering-in are detected simultaneously and hence inertial scrolling isnot performed. From time t0, as in the second embodiment, the scrollspeed v is decreased gradually from an initial scroll speed v0 so as toconverge on the convergence speed v2. The scroll speed v becomes equalto the convergence speed v2 at time t4. Automatic scrolling is startedat time t6 when the prescribed time has elapsed from time t0. Therefore,even if hovering-out of the finger FG is detected at time t5, unlike inthe second embodiment, inertial scrolling is not started and the scrollspeed v is kept at the convergence speed v2.

In the scroll curve C5, a touch flick manipulation and hovering-in aredetected simultaneously at time t0. Where hovering-in is detected sometime after time t0, time measurement for starting automatic scrolling isstarted at the time point of the detection of the hovering-in.

The process of the portable terminal 300 according to the thirdembodiment shown in FIG. 10 is the same as the process of the portableterminal 200 according to the second embodiment shown in FIG. 7 exceptthat the process A is added between steps S13 and S21. Therefore, onlydifferent steps, that is, the process A, will be described below.

Referring to FIG. 11, if detecting that the finger FG has hovered inafter a touch flick manipulation (S13: yes), the proximity statemanaging unit 25 informs the application 50B that the finger FG hashovered in. At step S31, the state variation control unit 53B judgeswhether or not the finger FG has continued the hover manipulation formore than or equal to a prescribed time from the time of the detectionof the hovering-in on the basis of time information that is output fromthe timer control unit 80. If judging that the finger FG has not yetcontinued the hover manipulation for more than or equal to theprescribed time from the time of the detection of the hovering-in (S31:no), the process of the portable terminal 300 moves to step S21.

If judging that the finger FG has continued the hover manipulation formore than or equal to the prescribed time from the time of the detectionof the hovering-in (S31: yes), the state variation control unit 53Bsuspends inertial scrolling and starts automatic scrolling. At step S32,the state variation control unit 53B judges whether or not the currentscroll speed v is higher than a convergence speed v2 stored in thetemporary speed holding unit 59. If judging that the current scrollspeed v is higher than the convergence speed v2 (S32: yes), at step S33the state variation control unit 53B decreases the scroll speed v. Atstep S34, the state variation control unit 53B performs scrolling at thescroll speed that was set at step S33. On the other hand, if judgingthat the scroll speed v is not higher than the convergence speed v2,that is, equal to the convergence speed v2 (S32: no), at step S34 thestate variation control unit 53B performs scrolling without decreasingthe scroll speed v.

At step S35, the contact manipulation judging unit 30 judges whether ornot the finger FG that has been in the hover manipulation state (e.g.,hover hold manipulation state) has made a touch manipulation. If judgingthat the finger FG that has been in the hover manipulation state hasmade a touch manipulation (S35: yes), the contact manipulation judgingunit 30 informs the application 50B that the finger FG that has been inthe hover manipulation state has made a touch manipulation. In responseto the notice sent from the contact manipulation judging unit 30, atstep S36 the state variation control unit 53B stops the automaticscrolling by setting the scroll speed v to zero immediately or smoothly.If the finger FG that has been in the hover manipulation state does notmake a touch manipulation (S35: no), the process of the portableterminal 300 returns to step S32, that is, the automatic scrolling iscontinued.

In the above-described process, the portable terminal 300 according tothe embodiment suspends inertial scrolling and starts automaticscrolling if detecting that a hover manipulation of a finger FG hascontinued for more than or equal to the prescribed time. During theautomatic scrolling, as in the second embodiment, the portable terminal300 decreases the scroll speed v gradually to the convergence speed v2and, after that, keeps the scroll speed v at the constant, convergencespeed v2 irrespective of whether hovering-in or hovering-out occurs.

In the portable terminal 300 according to the embodiment, since inertialscrolling is suspended and automatic scrolling is started easily by theuser by continuing a hover manipulation for more than or equal to theprescribed time. During the automatic scrolling, the scroll speed v isdecreased gradually to the convergence speed v2 or kept at theconvergence speed v2 even if the finger FG hovers out. Thus, automaticscrolling in which the scroll speed v is decreased gradually so as toconverge on the convergence speed v2 can be performed without a fingerFG's suffering an unduly heavy load.

Embodiment 4

A portable terminal 300 according to a fourth embodiment operates in thesame manner as the portable terminal 300 according to the thirdembodiment except for the following. If a hover manipulation (e.g.,hover hold manipulation) of a finger is detected in a state that thefinger is not close to the surface of the touch panel TP and automaticscrolling is being performed, the portable terminal 300 suspends theautomatic scrolling and decreases the scroll speed to zero or a constantspeed that is lower than the current scroll speed. If hovering-out ofthe finger is then detected, the portable terminal 300 restartsautomatic scrolling.

(Functional Configuration of Portable Terminal 300 According toEmbodiment 4)

The functional configuration of the portable terminal 300 according tothe fourth embodiment is similar to that of the portable terminal 300according to the third embodiment shown in FIG. 8. Therefore,descriptions of units having the same ones in the portable terminal 300shown in FIG. 8 will be simplified or omitted. That is, only differentunits will be described in detail.

During automatic scrolling, the state variation control unit 53B judgeswhether or not hovering-in of a finger FG has been detected in anon-proximity state by the proximity state managing unit 25. If judgingthat hovering-in of a finger FG has been detected in a non-proximitystate by the proximity state managing unit 25, the state variationcontrol unit 53B stores a scroll speed at the time of the detection ofthe hovering-in in the temporary speed holding unit 59.

In that event, the variation rate adjusting unit 56B instructs the statevariation control unit 53B to suspend the automatic scrolling. Inresponse to the instruction from the variation rate adjusting unit 56B,the state variation control unit 53B suspends the automatic scrollingand decreases the scroll speed to zero. Instead of decreasing the scrollspeed to zero, the state variation control unit 53B may decrease thescroll speed to a constant speed that is lower than the current scrollspeed. In the following description, it is assumed that the scroll speedreduction during suspension of automatic scrolling includes reduction toa constant speed that is lower than the current scroll speed.

During the suspension of the automatic scrolling, the state variationcontrol unit 53B judges whether or not hovering-out of the finger FGthat has been in the hover manipulation state has been detected by theproximity state managing unit 25. If judging that hovering-out of thefinger FG that has been in the hover manipulation state has beendetected by the proximity state managing unit 25, the state variationcontrol unit 53B changes the scroll speed from the current value (=0) tothe value stored in the temporary speed holding unit 59.

In that event, the variation rate adjusting unit 56B instructs the statevariation control unit 53B to restart automatic scrolling. In responseto the instruction from the variation rate adjusting unit 56B, the statevariation control unit 53B restarts automatic scrolling according to thescroll speed stored in the temporary speed holding unit 59.

(Operation of Portable Terminal 300 According to Embodiment 4)

Next, how the portable terminal 300 according to this embodimentoperates will be described with reference to FIGS. 12-15. FIG. 12 is agraph showing how the scroll speed is varied with time in the fourthembodiment. FIG. 13 is a flowchart showing how the portable terminal 300according to the fourth embodiment operates. FIG. 14 is a flowchartshowing the details of a process A′ of the portable terminal 300according to the fourth embodiment. FIG. 15 is a flowchart showing thedetails of a process B of the portable terminal 300 according to thefourth embodiment.

In FIG. 12, time t0 is a time when a touch flick manipulation andhovering-in are detected simultaneously, time t4 is a time when thescroll speed v becomes equal to a convergence speed v2, time t5 is atime when hovering-out is detected, time t6 is a time when a prescribedtime has elapsed from time t0 when the touch flick manipulation and thehovering-in were performed, time t7 is a time when hovering-in isdetected in the non-proximity state, and time t8 is a time whenhovering-out is detected in the state that the hover manipulation isperformed. Since the scroll curve C0 is the same as shown in FIG. 3 andhence will not be described.

In the description of the flowcharts of FIGS. 13 and 14, steps havingthe same ones in the flowchart of FIGS. 10 and 11 will be given the samereference symbols as the latter and descriptions therefor will besimplified or omitted. Only different steps will be described in detail.

In a scroll curve C6, at time t0, a touch flick manipulation andhovering-in are detected simultaneously and hence inertial scrolling isnot performed. From time t0, as in the second embodiment, the scrollspeed v is decreased gradually from an initial scroll speed v0 so as toconverge on the convergence speed v2. The scroll speed v becomes equalto the convergence speed v2 at time t4. Automatic scrolling is startedat time t6 when the prescribed time has elapsed from time t0. Therefore,even if hovering-out of the finger FG is detected at time t5, unlike inthe second embodiment, inertial scrolling is not restarted and thescroll speed v is kept at the convergence speed v2.

Furthermore, in the scroll curve C6, when hovering-in is detected in thenon-proximity state at time t7, the automatic scrolling is suspended andthe scroll speed v is decreased to zero. When hovering-out is detectedat time t8 in the state that the hover manipulation is performed,automatic scrolling is restarted in which the scroll speed will be keptat the speed immediately before time t7.

In the scroll curve C6, a touch flick manipulation and hovering-in aredetected simultaneously at time t0. Where hovering-in of the finger FGis detected some time after time t0, time measurement for startingautomatic scrolling is started at the time point of the detection of thehovering-in.

The process of the portable terminal 300 according to the fourthembodiment shown in FIGS. 13 and 14 is the same as the process of theportable terminal 300 according to the third embodiment shown in FIGS.10 and 11 except that the process B is added between steps S34 and S35.Therefore, only different steps, that is, the process B, will bedescribed below.

Referring to FIG. 15, while the automatic scrolling is being performed(S34), at step S41 the state variation control unit 53B judges whetheror not hovering-in of the finger FG has been detected in a non-proximitystate by the proximity state managing unit 25. If judging thathovering-in of the finger FG has been detected in a non-proximity stateby the proximity state managing unit 25 (S41: yes), at step S42 thestate variation control unit 53B stores a scroll speed of the automaticscrolling at the time of the detection of the hovering-in in thetemporary speed holding unit 59.

The variation rate adjusting unit 56B instructs the state variationcontrol unit 53B to suspend the automatic scrolling. In response to theinstruction from the variation rate adjusting unit 56B, at step S43 thestate variation control unit 53B suspends the automatic scrolling bysetting the scroll speed v to zero immediately or smoothly.

At step S44, the state variation control unit 53B judges whether or nothovering-out of the finger FG has been detected by the proximity statemanaging unit 25 in the proximity state during the suspension of theautomatic scrolling. If hovering-out of the finger FG is not detected bythe proximity state managing unit 25 in the proximity state during thesuspension of the automatic scrolling (S44: no), the process of theportable terminal 300 moves to step S35. Step S44 is executed repeatedlyuntil a touch manipulation is detected at step S35.

If judging that hovering-out of the finger FG has been detected by theproximity state managing unit 25 in the proximity state during thesuspension of the automatic scrolling (S44: yes), at step S45 the statevariation control unit 53B changes the scroll speed v from the currentvalue (zero) to the value stored in the temporary speed holding unit 59.

The variation rate adjusting unit 56B instructs the state variationcontrol unit 53B to restart automatic scrolling. In response to theinstruction from the variation rate adjusting unit 56B, the statevariation control unit 53B restarts automatic scrolling at the scrollspeed stored in the temporary speed holding unit 59. After the executionof step S45, the process of the portable terminal 300 according to theembodiment returns to step S32.

On the other hand, if judging that hovering-in of the finger FG is notdetected in a non-proximity state during the automatic scrolling (S41:no), the state variation control unit 53B continues the automaticscrolling. At step S46, the contact manipulation judging unit 30 judgeswhether or not a touch manipulation has been performed by the finger FG.

If judging that a touch manipulation has been performed by the finger FG(S46: yes), the contact manipulation judging unit 30 communications anotice to that effect to the application 50B. The process of theportable terminal 300 according to the embodiment then moves to stepS36. If no touch manipulation is detected (S46: no), the process of theportable terminal 300 according to the embodiment returns to step S32and the automatic scrolling is continued.

In the above-described process, if detecting hovering-in of a finger FGin a non-proximity state during automatic scrolling, the portableterminal 300 according to the embodiment stores a scroll speed of theautomatic scrolling at the time of the detection of the hovering-in inthe temporary speed holding unit 59 and suspends the automaticscrolling. If detecting hovering-out of the finger FG in the proximitystate during the suspension of the automatic scrolling, the portableterminal 300 restarts automatic scrolling at the scroll speed stored inthe temporary speed holding unit 59.

In the automatic scrolling, the scroll speed v is kept at theconvergence speed v2 if the scroll speed that is employed when automaticscrolling is restarted is equal to the convergence speed v2. If thescroll speed that is employed when automatic scrolling is restarted ishigher than the convergence speed v2, the scroll speed v is decreasedgradually so as to converge on the convergence speed v2.

With the above measure, in the portable terminal 300 according to theembodiment, if a content that attracts attention of the user starts tobe displayed during automatic scrolling, the user can easily suspend theautomatic scrolling by making a hover hold manipulation with his or herfinger FG. Furthermore, when the user has completed viewing of thecontent that attracted attention of the user, the user can easilyrestart automatic scrolling by hovering out the finger FG (i.e.,finishing the hover hold manipulation). Thus, flexible scrolling can beperformed so as to match an intention of the user.

Embodiment 5

In the third and fourth embodiments, the portable terminal 300 or 300starts automatic scrolling if it is detected that a hover manipulationhas continued for more than or equal to the prescribed time fromhovering-in after a touch flick manipulation was detected. In contrast,a portable terminal 300 according to a fifth embodiment starts automaticscrolling upon detection of a touch flick manipulation, rather than ahover manipulation having lasted the prescribed time, of a finger FG isdetected.

(Functional Configuration of Portable Terminal 300 According toEmbodiment 5)

The functional configuration of the portable terminal 300 according tothe fifth embodiment is similar to that of the portable terminal 300according to the third embodiment shown in FIG. 8. Therefore,descriptions of units having the same ones in the portable terminal 300according to the third embodiment or the portable terminal 300 accordingto the fourth embodiment will be simplified or omitted. That is, onlydifferent units will be described in detail.

The state variation control unit 53B judges whether or not a touch flickmanipulation of a finger FG has been detected by the contactmanipulation judging unit 30. If judging that a touch flick manipulationof a finger FG has been detected by the contact manipulation judgingunit 30, the state variation control unit 53B suspends inertialscrolling and starts automatic scrolling.

(Operation of Portable Terminal 300 According to Embodiment 5)

Next, how the portable terminal 300 according to this embodimentoperates will be described with reference to FIGS. 16 and 17. FIG. 16 isa graph showing how the scroll speed is varied with time in the fifthembodiment. FIG. 17 is a flowchart showing how the portable terminal 300according to the fifth embodiment operates.

In FIG. 16, time t0 is a time when a touch flick manipulation isdetected, time t4 is a time when the scroll speed v becomes equal to aconvergence speed v2, time t5 is a time when hovering-out is detected,time t7 is a time when hovering-in is detected in the non-proximitystate, and time t8 is a time when hovering-out is detected in the statethat the hover manipulation is performed.

In a scroll curve C7, at time t0, a touch flick manipulation is detectedand hence inertial scrolling is not started. After time t0, as in thesecond embodiment, the scroll speed v is decreased gradually from aninitial scroll speed v0 so as to converge on a convergence speed v2. Attime t4, the scroll speed v becomes equal to the convergence speed v2.In this embodiment, since automatic scrolling is started at time t0,unlike in the second embodiment, even if hovering-out of the finger FGis detected at time t5, inertial scrolling is not started and the scrollspeed v is kept at the convergence speed v2.

Furthermore, in the scroll curve C7, when hovering-in is detected in thenon-proximity state at time t7, the automatic scrolling is suspended andthe scroll speed v is decreased to zero. When hovering-out is detectedat time t8 in the state that the hover manipulation is performed,automatic scrolling is restarted in which the scroll speed will be keptat the speed of the automatic scrolling immediately before time t7.

Referring to FIG. 17, at step S51, the state variation control unit 53Bjudges whether or not a touch flick manipulation of a finger FG has beendetected by the contact manipulation judging unit 30. If judging that atouch flick manipulation of a finger FG has been detected by the contactmanipulation judging unit 30 (S51: yes), at step S52 the state variationcontrol unit 53B starts automatic scrolling. An initial speed of theautomatic scrolling is calculated by the state variation control unit53B according to a movement speed at which the finger FG has beenflicked on the surface of the touch panel TP in making the touch flickmanipulation.

At step S53, the state variation control unit 53B judges whether or notthe current scroll speed v of the automatic scrolling is higher than aconvergence speed v2 that is stored in the temporary speed holding unit59. If judging that the current scroll speed v of the automaticscrolling is higher than the convergence speed v2 (S53: yes), at stepS54 the state variation control unit 53B decreases the scroll speed vgradually so that it converges on the convergence speed v2. If judgingthat the current scroll speed v of the automatic scrolling is not higherthan the convergence speed v2 (S53: no), the process of the portableterminal 300 according to the embodiment moves to step S55.

At step S55, the state variation control unit 53B judges whether or nothovering-in of the finger FG has been detected in a non-proximity stateby the proximity state managing unit 25. If judging that hovering-in ofthe finger FG has been detected in a non-proximity state by theproximity state managing unit 25 (S55: yes), at step S56 the statevariation control unit 53B stores a scroll speed of the automaticscrolling at the time of the detection of the hovering-in in thetemporary speed holding unit 59.

The variation rate adjusting unit 56B instructs the state variationcontrol unit 53B to suspend the automatic scrolling. In response to theinstruction from the variation rate adjusting unit 56B, at step S57 thestate variation control unit 53B suspends the automatic scrolling bysetting the scroll speed v to zero immediately or smoothly.

At step S58, the state variation control unit 53B judges whether or nothovering-out of the finger FG has been detected by the proximity statemanaging unit 25 in the proximity state during the suspension of theautomatic scrolling. If judging that hovering-out of the finger FG hasbeen detected by the proximity state managing unit 25 in the proximitystate during the suspension of the automatic scrolling (S58: yes), atstep S59 the state variation control unit 53B changes the scroll speed vfrom the current value (zero) to the value stored in the temporary speedholding unit 59. After the execution of step S59, the process of theportable terminal 300 according to the embodiment returns to step S52.

If judging that hovering-out of the finger FG is not detected in theproximity state during the suspension of the automatic scrolling (S58:no), the state variation control unit 53B continues the automaticscrolling. At step S60, the state variation control unit 53B judgeswhether or not the finger FG that has been in the hover manipulationstate has made a touch manipulation. If judging that the finger FG thathas been in the hover manipulation state has made a touch manipulation(S60: yes), the contact manipulation judging unit 30 informs theapplication 50B that the finger FG that has been in the hovermanipulation state has made a touch manipulation. In response to thenotice sent from the contact manipulation judging unit 30, at step S61the state variation control unit 53B stops the automatic scrolling bysetting the scroll speed v to zero immediately or smoothly. If thefinger FG that has been in the hover manipulation state does not make atouch manipulation (S60: no), the process of the portable terminal 300returns to step S58.

On the other hand, if judging that hovering-in of the finger FG is notdetected in a non-proximity state during the automatic scrolling (S55:no), the state variation control unit 53B continues the automaticscrolling. At step S62, the contact manipulation judging unit 30 judgeswhether or not a touch manipulation has been performed by the finger FG.

If judging that a touch manipulation has been performed by the finger FG(S62: yes), the contact manipulation judging unit 30 communications anotice to that effect to the application 50B. The process of theportable terminal 300 according to the embodiment then moves to stepS61. If no touch manipulation is detected (S62: no), the process of theportable terminal 300 according to the embodiment returns to step S52and the automatic scrolling is continued.

In the above-described process, the portable terminal 300 according tothe embodiment starts automatic scrolling upon detection of a touchflick manipulation. If detecting hovering-in of a finger FG in anon-proximity state during automatic scrolling, the portable terminal300 according to the embodiment stores a scroll speed of the automaticscrolling at the time of the detection of the hovering-in in thetemporary speed holding unit 59 and suspends the automatic scrolling. Ifdetecting hovering-out of the finger FG in the proximity state duringthe suspension of the automatic scrolling, the portable terminal 300restarts automatic scrolling at the scroll speed stored in the temporaryspeed holding unit 59.

In the automatic scrolling, the scroll speed v is kept at theconvergence speed v2 if the scroll speed that is employed when automaticscrolling is restarted is equal to the convergence speed v2. If thescroll speed that is employed when automatic scrolling is restarted ishigher than the convergence speed v2, the scroll speed v is decreasedgradually so as to converge on the convergence speed v2.

With the above measure, in the portable terminal 300 according to theembodiment, the user can easily restart automatic scrolling by making,for example, a touch flick manipulation with a finger FG instead ofcontinuing a hover manipulation (e.g., hover hold manipulation) for morethan or equal to a prescribed time. Thus, the manipulation to beperformed by the user to start automatic scrolling can be simplified.

Embodiment 6

A portable terminal 300 according to a sixth embodiment switches thescroll speed control method according to an initial scroll speed ofinertial scrolling at the time of a touch flick manipulation of afinger.

(Functional Configuration of Portable Terminal 300 According toEmbodiment 6)

The functional configuration of the portable terminal 300 according tothe sixth embodiment is similar to that of the portable terminal 300according to the third embodiment shown in FIG. 8. Therefore,descriptions of units having the same ones in the portable terminal 300according to the third embodiment or the portable terminal 300 accordingto the fourth embodiment will be simplified or omitted. That is, onlydifferent units will be described in detail.

The state variation control unit 53B judges whether or not a touch flickmanipulation of a finger FG has been detected by the contactmanipulation judging unit 30. If judging that a touch flick manipulationof a finger FG has been detected by the contact manipulation judgingunit 30, the state variation control unit 53B starts inertial scrollingand, furthermore, compares an initial scroll speed of the inertialscrolling with a prescribed first threshold speed and a prescribedsecond threshold speed, which are fixed values prescribed in advance aspart of the operation particulars of the state variation control unit53B. The first threshold speed is higher than the second thresholdspeed.

If judging that the initial scroll speed of the inertial scrolling ishigher than or equal to the first threshold speed, as in the secondembodiment, while a hover manipulation of a finger is detected, thestate variation control unit 53B suspends the inertial scrolling anddecreases the scroll speed v gradually to a convergence speed v2 and,after that, keeps the scroll speed at the constant, convergence speedv2.

If judging that the initial scroll speed of the inertial scrolling ishigher than or equal to the second threshold speed and lower than thefirst threshold speed, as in the fourth embodiment, the state variationcontrol unit 53B starts automatic scrolling if a hover manipulation hasbeen performed by a finger FG for more than or equal to a prescribedtime. If a hover manipulation (e.g., hover hold manipulation) of afinger is detected during the automatic scrolling, the state variationcontrol unit 53B suspends the automatic scrolling. If hovering-out isdetected during the suspension of the automatic scrolling, the statevariation control unit 53B restarts automatic scrolling. The convergencespeed of this automatic scrolling is equal to the second thresholdspeed.

If judging that the initial scroll speed of the inertial scrolling islower than the second threshold speed, the state variation control unit53B performs conventional inertial scrolling.

(Operation of Portable Terminal 300 According to Embodiment 6)

Next, how the portable terminal 300 according to this embodimentoperates will be described with reference to FIGS. 18 and 19. FIG. 18 isa graph showing how the scroll speed is varied with time in the sixthembodiment. FIG. 19 is a flowchart showing how the portable terminal 300according to the sixth embodiment operates.

In FIG. 18, time t0 is a time when a touch flick manipulation andhovering-in are detected simultaneously, time t4 is a time when thescroll speed v becomes equal to a convergence speed v2, time t5 is atime when hovering-out is detected, time t7 is a time when hovering-inof a finger FG is detected in the non-proximity state, and time t8 is atime when hovering-out is detected in the state that the hovermanipulation is performed by the finger FG.

In the description of the flowcharts of FIG. 19, steps having the sameones in the flowchart of FIGS. 13-15 will be given the same referencesymbols as the latter and descriptions therefor will be simplified oromitted. Only different steps will be described in detail.

A scroll curve C8 is the same as the scroll curve C4, A scroll curve C9is the same as the scroll curve C6 except for the initial scroll speed,and a scroll curve C10 is the same as the scroll curve C0 except for theinitial scroll speed. Therefore, descriptions of the scroll curve C8,C9, and C10 will be omitted.

Referring to FIG. 19, after the execution of step S11, at step S71 thestate variation control unit 53B starts inertial scrolling and,furthermore, compares an initial scroll speed of the inertial scrollingwith a prescribed first threshold speed and a prescribed secondthreshold speed.

If judging that the initial scroll speed of the inertial scrolling ishigher than or equal to the first threshold speed (S71: “higher than orequal to the first threshold speed”), as in the second embodiment, whilea hover manipulation of a finger FG is detected, the state variationcontrol unit 53B suspends the inertial scrolling and decreases thescroll speed v gradually to a convergence speed v2 and, after that,keeps the scroll speed at the constant, convergence speed v2.

If judging that the initial scroll speed of the inertial scrolling ishigher than or equal to the second threshold speed and lower than thefirst threshold speed (S71: “higher than or equal to the secondthreshold speed and lower than the first threshold speed”), as Ill thefourth embodiment, the state variation control unit 53B starts automaticscrolling if a hover manipulation has been performed by a finger FG formore than or equal to a prescribed time. If a hover manipulation (e.g.,hover hold manipulation) of a finger is detected during the automaticscrolling, the state variation control unit 53B suspends the automaticscrolling. If hovering-out is detected during the suspension of theautomatic scrolling, the state variation control unit 53B restartsautomatic scrolling.

However, as mentioned above, in this embodiment, if the initial scrollspeed of the inertial scrolling is higher than or equal to the secondthreshold speed, the convergence speed of the automatic scrolling isequal to the second threshold speed (see the scroll curve C9 shown inFIG. 18).

If judging that the initial scroll speed of the inertial scrolling islower than the second threshold speed (S71: “lower than the secondthreshold speed”), the state variation control unit 53B performsconventional inertial scrolling.

In the above-described process, the portable terminal 300 according tothe embodiment switches the scroll speed control method according to aninitial scroll speed of inertial scrolling at the time of a touch flickmanipulation of a finger FG. The portable terminal 300 according to theembodiment may select any of the scroll speed control methods of theabove embodiments according to an initial scroll speed of inertialscrolling at the time of a touch flick manipulation of a finger FG.

With this measure, by the portable terminal 300 of the embodiment,flexible scrolling can be performed according to an initial scroll speedof inertial scrolling at the time of a touch flick manipulation of afinger FG so as to match an intention of the user.

Although the various embodiments have been described above withreference to the drawings, it goes without saying that the invention isnot limited to those examples. It is apparent that those skilled in theart would conceive changes or modifications of the various embodimentsor combinations of the various embodiments within the confines of theclaims. And such changes, modifications, or combinations shouldnaturally be included in the technical scope of the invention.

How a portable terminal 300 according to an embodiment that is acombination of the first, third and fourth embodiments will be describedwith reference to FIGS. 20 and 21. FIG. 20 is a graph showing how thescroll speed is varied with time in the embodiment that is thecombination of the first, third and fourth embodiments. FIG. 21 is aflowchart showing how the portable terminal 300 according to theembodiment that is the combination of the first, third and fourthembodiments operates.

In FIG. 20, time t0 is a time when a touch flick manipulation isdetected, time t9 is a time when hovering-in of a finger FG is detected,time t10 is a time when a prescribed time has elapsed from time t0, timet5 is a time when hovering-out is detected, time t7 is a time whenhovering-in of a finger FG is detected in the non-proximity state, andtime t8 is a time when hovering-out is detected in the state that thehover manipulation is performed by the finger FG.

In the description of the flowchart of FIG. 21, steps having the sameones in the flowchart of FIGS. 4, 10, and 13-15 will be given the samereference symbols as the latter and descriptions therefor will besimplified or omitted. Only different steps will be described in detail.

In a scroll curve C11, at time t0, a touch flick manipulation of afinger FG is detected and inertial scrolling is started. Hovering-in isdetected at time t9. At time t10 when a prescribed time has elapsed fromtime t0, the inertial scrolling is suspended and automatic scrolling isstarted in which the scroll speed will be kept at a speed at the time ofthe detection of the hovering-in (time t9).

Furthermore, in the scroll curve C11, since the automatic scrolling isperformed from time t10, even if hovering-out is detected at time t5,the scroll speed is kept at the speed of time t9. When hovering-in of afinger FG is detected at time t7 in the non-proximity state, theautomatic scrolling is suspended and the scroll speed is decreased tozero. When hovering-out is detected at time t8 in the state that thehover manipulation is performed by the finger FG, the automaticscrolling is restarted. The scroll speed immediately after the restartof the automatic scrolling is equal to the scroll speed of the automaticscrolling immediately before time t7.

Referring to FIG. 21, if judging that a finger FG has hovered in (S13:yes), the proximity state managing unit 25 informs the application 50Bthat a finger FG has hovered in. At step S31, the state variationcontrol unit 53B judges, on the basis of time information that is outputfrom the timer control unit 80, whether or not the finger FG is making ahover manipulation at the time point that is a prescribed time after thetouch flick manipulation of the finger FG.

If judging that the finger FG is making a hover manipulation at the timepoint that is the prescribed time after the touch flick manipulation ofthe finger FG (S31: yes), at step S81 the state variation control unit53B suspends inertial scrolling that has been performed at step S12 andstarts automatic scrolling in which the scroll speed will be kept at aspeed at time of the detection of the hovering-in of the finger FG. Thesteps to be executed after step S81 are the same as in the fourthembodiment (see FIG. 15), and hence descriptions therefor will beomitted.

On the other hand, if judging the finger FG is not making a hovermanipulation at the time point that is the prescribed time after thetouch flick manipulation of the finger FG (S31: no), at step S82 thestate variation control unit 53B judges whether or not the finger FG hasmade a touch manipulation. If it is judged that the finger FG has made atouch manipulation (S82: yes), the process of the portable terminal 300moves to step S36. If the finger FG has not made a touch manipulation(S82: no), the process of the portable terminal 300 returns to step S12.

With the above-described process, if it is detected that a finger FG ismaking a hover manipulation at the time point that is the prescribedtime after a touch flick manipulation of the finger, the portableterminal 300 can start automatic scrolling in which the scroll speedwill be kept at a speed at time of the detection of the hovering-in ofthe finger FG.

In the portable terminal 300 according to the fourth embodiment,automatic scrolling is suspended if a hover hold manipulation of afinger FG is detected during the automatic scrolling. Alternatively,automatic scrolling may be accelerated or decelerated instead of beingsuspended. For example, as shown in a schematic diagram of FIG. 22A, aportable terminal 300 may be provided which suspends, accelerates, ordecelerates automatic scrolling depending on the position on the surfaceof the touch panel TP where a hover hold manipulation has been performedby a finger FG. FIG. 22A is a schematic diagram illustrating how thescroll speed is controlled according to the position on the surface ofthe touch panel TP where a hover hold manipulation has been performed bya finger FG.

For example, as shown in FIG. 22A, if a hover hold manipulation isperformed by a finger FG at a certain height in the Z-axis directionover a region AR1 of the touch panel TP, the portable terminal 300suspends automatic scrolling.

For example, if a hover hold manipulation is performed by a finger FG ata certain height in the Z-axis direction over a region AR2 of the touchpanel TP, the portable terminal 300 accelerates automatic scrolling.

If a hover hold manipulation is performed by a finger FG at a certainheight in the Z-axis direction over a region AR3 of the touch panel TP,the portable terminal 300 decelerates automatic scrolling.

As shown in FIG. 22B, a portable terminal 300 may be provided whichsuspends, accelerates, or decelerates automatic scrolling depending onthe height, with respect to the surface of the touch panel TP, where afinger FG has performed a hover hold manipulation.

For example, as shown in FIG. 22B, if a hover hold manipulation isperformed by a finger FG in a height range from the surface of the touchpanel TP (z coordinate: z0=0) to z1, the portable terminal 300 suspendsautomatic scrolling.

For example, if a hover hold manipulation is performed by a finger FG ina height range from z1 to z2, the portable terminal 300 acceleratesautomatic scrolling.

For example, if a hover hold manipulation is performed by a finger FG ina height range from z2 to z3, the portable terminal 300 deceleratesautomatic scrolling.

In each of the above embodiments, the portable terminal may accelerateor decelerate automatic scrolling if a hover flick manipulation isperformed by a finger FG during the automatic scrolling. With thismeasure, the portable terminal can perform scrolling that matches anintention of the user in a flexible manner.

The present invention is applicable to and useful for, for example, ascrolling apparatus, a scrolling method, and a computer-readable mediumstoring a program which make it possible to easily scroll a contenthaving a large display size without requiring repeated manipulations.

This application claims priority from Japanese Patent Application No.2013-007502 filed on Jan. 18, 2013, the entire contents of which areincorporated herein by reference.

What is claimed is:
 1. A scrolling apparatus, comprising: a displayconfigured to display a content on a screen; and a detector configuredto detect contactless proximity of a finger to the screen and contact ofthe finger to the screen; wherein the screen is capable to perform aninertial scrolling, wherein at or after a start of the inertialscrolling, at least when any contact of the finger to the screen isdetected, the content stops scrolling, wherein at or after a start ofthe inertial scrolling, while the contactless proximity of the finger tothe screen is not detected and the contact of the finger to the screenis not detected, the content scrolls at first speeds which decline untilthe content scrolling stops, and wherein at or after a start of theinertial scrolling, while the contactless proximity of the finger to thescreen is detected and the contact of the finger to the screen is notdetected, the content scrolls at second speeds which decline and arehigher than the first speeds at each comparable time after thecontactless proximity of the finger to the screen becomes detected. 2.The scrolling apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the second speedsdecline until the content scrolls at a third speed which is higher thanbeing stopped.
 3. The scrolling apparatus according to claim 2, whereinafter the content scrolling declines to the third speed, if thecontactless proximity of the finger to the screen and the contact of thefinger to the screen are not detected, then the content scrolling isdecelerated from the third speed to be stopped.
 4. The scrollingapparatus according to claim 2, wherein at a start of the inertialscrolling, if the contactless proximity of the finger to the screen hasbeen detected for a period, then the content scrolling is decelerated toslow to the third speed.
 5. The scrolling apparatus according to claim2, wherein after the content scrolling declines to the third speed, thecontent scrolling is maintained at the third speed.
 6. The scrollingapparatus according to claim 1, wherein the screen is capable to startthe inertial scrolling in response to a touch operation of the finger tothe screen.
 7. The scrolling apparatus of claim 1, wherein, after thecontent scrolling has been changed to the third speed, while thecontactless proximity of the finger to the screen is detected and thecontact of the finger to the screen is not detected continuously, thecontent scrolling at the third speed continues.
 8. A scrolling methodwhich can be used for a scrolling apparatus comprising: a displayconfigured to display a content on a screen; and a detector configuredto detect contactless proximity of a finger to the screen and contact ofthe finger to the screen, the scrolling method comprising: performing aninertial scrolling; at or after a start of the inertial scrolling, atleast when any contact of the finger to the screen is detected, stoppingthe content scrolling, at or after a start of the inertial scrolling,while the contactless proximity of the finger to the screen is notdetected and the contact of the finger to the screen is not detected,scrolling the content at first speeds which decline until the contentscrolling stops, and at or after a start of the inertial scrolling,while the contactless proximity of the finger to the screen is detectedand the contact of the finger to the screen is not detected, scrollingthe content at second speeds which decline and are higher than the firstspeeds at each comparable time after the contactless proximity of thefinger to the screen becomes detected.
 9. A non-transitorycomputer-readable medium storing a program comprising instructionswhich, when executed by a computer, cause the computer, which is ascrolling apparatus comprising; a display configured to display acontent on a screen; and a detector configured to detect contactlessproximity of a finger to the screen and contact of the finger to thescreen, to perform a process comprising: performing an inertialscrolling; at or after a start of the inertial scrolling, at least whenany contact of the finger to the screen is detected, stopping thecontent scrolling, at or after a start of the inertial scrolling, whilethe contactless proximity of the finger to the screen is not detectedand the contact of the finger to the screen is not detected, scrollingthe content at first speeds which decline until the content scrollingstops, and at or after a start of the inertial scrolling, while thecontactless proximity of the finger to the screen is detected and thecontact of the finger to the screen is not detected, scrolling thecontent at second speeds which decline and are higher than the firstspeeds at each comparable time after the contactless proximity of thefinger to the screen becomes detected.